CALABAR – The wife of the Executive Chairman of Calabar South Local Government Area, Prof. Mrs. Esther Patrick Archibong, has appealed to head teachers not to send children home over unpaid school fees, describing the practice as one that deprives vulnerable pupils of valuable learning opportunities.
Prof. Archibong made the appeal during a three-day educational outreach tour across government primary schools in all twelve wards of Calabar South LGA, where she paid school fees for over 250 pupils who had been excluded from classrooms due to their inability to meet fee obligations.
Addressing head teachers and school administrators during her visits, she passionately urged them to keep such pupils within the school premises until the close of school hours while efforts are made to address their financial constraints.
“These children are our future leaders. Sending them home deprives them of valuable learning opportunities and may discourage their interest in education. Let us keep them in school and support them in every way possible,” she advised.
The humanitarian intervention, which began on Monday 15th June and ended on Wednesday 17th June, 2026, was aimed at identifying vulnerable pupils and ensuring that no child is denied access to education because of financial challenges.
During her visits to the various schools, Prof. Archibong interacted with pupils, teachers, and school administrators, emphasising the importance of education as the bedrock for a brighter future. She noted that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams irrespective of their parents’ economic circumstances.
The gesture brought smiles and renewed hope to many pupils who had been excluded from classroom activities. Several beneficiaries could not hide their excitement as they returned to their studies, while parents and guardians expressed profound appreciation for the intervention.
Head teachers across the schools visited were visibly delighted by the kind-hearted gesture. They described Prof. Archibong as a compassionate mother whose concern for the educational advancement of children is worthy of emulation. They offered prayers for God’s continued blessings upon her and the family of the Executive Chairman for recognising the need to invest in the education of future generations.
The school tour was accompanied by the Director of Education of Calabar South Local Government Council, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Comrd. Nkese Eneyo, the Women Development Officer of the Council, and her Personal Assistant.
Schools visited across the 12 wards included St. Mary’s Primary School Efut Abuja, Calabar Academy Primary School, Government Secondary School Henshaw Town, Government Primary School Hawkins, Government Primary School Henshaw Town, Edgerly Ballentine Primary School Anderson, Christ Church Primary School, Duke Town Presbyterian Primary School, Holy Trinity Anglican Primary School, Emmanuel Church Primary School, Salvation Army Primary School, Redeemer Lutheran Primary School, Ironbar Memorial Primary School, Government Primary School Atu, Government Primary School Mayne Avenue, and Bishop King Memorial Primary School.
The three-day exercise has been widely applauded by stakeholders as a significant step toward promoting inclusive education and reducing the number of out-of-school children within the local government area.
Through this intervention, Prof. Mrs. Esther Patrick Archibong has once again demonstrated that true leadership is measured not only by policies and positions but by the positive impact made in the lives of the people, especially the younger generation whose future holds the promise of a greater Calabar South.
